The Millinery to the Stars

As the wedding season draws in and London Fashion week passes us by - and with royal celebrations splashed across the news - it seems only fitting to bring you a centrepiece from Fashion Royalty herself, Victoria Grant.

Victoria, an established young designer, has a following amongst the likes of Kate Moss, Lily Cole, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Johnny Depp, and now it looks like Kate Middleton is set to follow this trend, with the Sunday Times asking Victoria for style advice on what she should be wearing.

So just who is this Victoria, I hear you ask?

Victoria was my design mentor. I worked for her when I started designing, and she taught me how real couture should be made - and she is a master in her art. She started many years ago as a fashion stylist for television, and found herself putting together the missing pieces on shoots. It was so often the hat that was missing, once she realised this, she launched what has become a very successful business. She started small with a collection in Topshop, and developed into high-end couture pieces for the smaller and larger department stores. Her hats are now internationally renowned, and she's made specialist pieces (like her crystal helmet), which have been featured in exhibitions with Karl Langerford. Carrie's 'crown' in Sex and the City 2 was commissioned for the film.

Victoria’s Empress collection was inspired by a visit to St Tropez, and here we have pieces which remind you of the Hollywood glamour of the '50s. They're something Jackie Onassis or Grace Kelly might have worn, yet with a modern twist that Victoria delivers throughout her collections. Her last collection, Amor Vincit Omnia, featured a contemporary take on traditional icons from the royal house itself. Her pieces are playful yet respectful, with mini crowns and roses with thorns as head pieces, very Gothic and very chic.

You can see her hats in Vogue and Numero magazines, or view the Empress collection at Harrod's. Harvey Nichols also carries a small selection of her hats, and you can, of course, make an appointment with Victoria in her showroom in Notting Hill for bespoke service (which starts at around £360).

Miss P

Miss P is a Fashion Forward City Chick, working in an investment bank by day and slinking down catwalks by night. She graduated from UCL in a few years back and has since undertaken numerous courses in Fashion (at London College of Fashion), Finance and Law. She likes nice food, good music and sparkly things, as well as the odd bit of sport (a triathlon here and there never does anyone any harm).You can get in touch with her here.